• WE are writing in this letter to support the #fixthehousingcrisis campaign currently taking place by the National Housing Federation.

It is now widely accepted that we have a broken housing market in England. The consequences are clear to see: rising prices, homelessness on the up, more and more people unable to find a decent home they can afford.

In partnership with the next government – whoever that may be – housing associations are able to change this.

Barnsbury Housing Association (BHA) is joining housing associations from across the country to call for investment in new, desperately-needed social housing and ensure this issue remains at the top of the next government’s in-tray.

The sector is calling for the next government to invest £12.8billion in new social housing every year for a decade. This would unlock tens of thousands of new social homes across the country, as well as support the economy and tackle homelessness.

Homes in London have become increasingly out of reach for local people. That is why housing associations across the city are stepping up to deliver new homes.

Over the last year, housing associations built 10,486 homes in London with work already started on another 10,580. BHA is playing its part, having built four new homes for social rent last year.

As a small, community-based, housing association of 300 homes, we want to continue to develop good quality homes for social rent in Islington where we can to help keep the borough affordable and the community thriving.

SUSAN FRENCH
Chief Executive BHA